Actonel
Generic Name: Risedronate Sodium
Brand Name: Actonel
Indications
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Actonel is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Osteoporosis in Men: Actonel is indicated for treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis: Actonel is indicated for the treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women who are either initiating or continuing systemic glucocorticoid treatment for chronic diseases.
Paget's Disease: Actonel is indicated for treatment of Paget's disease of bone in men and women.
Dosage and Administration
Actonel is available as 5 mg, 30mg, 35mg, 75mg, 150 mg tablets for oral administration.
Actonel should be taken at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water. While taking this medicine, care should be taken that the patient should be in an upright position and should not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medicine. Patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D if dietary intake is inadequate
Dosage for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: recommended is
- 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily OR
- 35 mg tablet orally, taken once a week OR
- 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month OR
- 150 mg tablet orally, taken once a month
Dosage for Osteoporosis in men: recommended is 35 mg tablet orally, taken once a week
Dosage for Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis: recommended is 5mg tablet orally, taken daily.
Dosage for Paget’s Disease: recommended is30mg orally once daily for 2 months
Overdose?
The symptoms of an overdose are unknown, but the following symptoms might be expected: nausea, heartburn, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, other stomach-related symptoms, and muscle cramps. Consult your doctor immediately.
Drug Description
Actonel (risedronate sodium) tablets is a pyridinyl bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and modulates bone metabolism. The empirical formula for risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate is C7H10NO7P2Na•2.5 H2O. The chemical name of risedronate sodium is [1-hydroxy-2-(3-pyridinyl)ethylidene]bis[phosphonic acid] monosodium salt. The chemical structure of risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate is the following:
Risedronate sodium is a fine, white to off-white, odorless, crystalline powder. It is soluble in water and in aqueous solutions, and essentially insoluble in common organic solvents.
Inactive Ingredients
All dose strengths contain: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide.
Dose strength-specific ingredients include: 5 mg-ferric oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate; 30 mg-lactose monohydrate; 35 mg-ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate; 75 mg-ferric oxide red; 150 mg-FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake.
Side Effects
Some of the noticeable side effects are abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
Precautions
- You are advised NOT to lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking a dose.
- This medicine should be taken in the morning with a glass of water, at least 30 minutes before eating any food, beverages or taking any other medicines including vitamins, minerals, or other supplements.
- Make sure if you have a problem in swallowing or have stomach ulcers.
- You will require a special dosage or have to check during the treatment, if you have an ailment such as narrowing of the esophagus, and having a condition that causes low levels of calcium in the body.
Drug Interactions
- Try not to take any other medicine, including vitamins, minerals, or other supplements unless your physician advises you to do so.
- You should inform your physician if you are taking any of the following medicines which include an antacid, aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and others.
